Malaysian student diagnosed with dengue fever in Tainan

It is the seventh case of a resident of the southwestern Taiwan city contracting the disease abroad this year

A 23-year-old Chinese-Malaysian student who returned to Taiwan on Saturday from his home in Malaysia has been diagnosed as the seventh resident of Tainan this year to contract dengue fever abroad.

The university student, who resides in Tainan’s Yongkang district, had flown home to Malaysia at the end of the semester. Returning to resume his studies, he arrived at Kaohsiung International Airport, The Real Daily reported on Tuesday, citing the Department of Health of Tainan City Government.

Since he had a fever, he was required to attend the quarantine station, where a blood sample was taken for the NS1 antigen test, which came back negative for dengue.

However, a more detailed laboratory result came out on Sunday, confirming him as the victim of the seventh imported dengue-fever case in the southwestern city of Tainan this year.

Tainan City Government conducted mosquito-control measures in the patient’s neighborhood and workplace.

Travelers to dengue-affected areas should apply insect repellent. Should they begin suffering symptoms such as fever, headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, loss of appetite, nausea or rash, they should seek medical advice promptly, and report their latest travel details to a doctor, according to Taiwan-based United Daily News.